Law firms in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire have said they can form a regional force after confirming plans to merge. Wilkin Chapman and Rollits will become Wilkin Chapman Rollits, with more than 500 people including 70 partners and a combined annual turnover of £40 million. No redundancies are planned as a result of the merger.
The new firm will operate from offices in Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Hull, York and Beverley. Managers say Wilkin Chapman Rollits will be the largest law firm operating out of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Both firms said they had come together after consulting with strategic commercial clients, who were supportive of the plan.
Ralph Gilbert, managing partner of Rollits, said: ‘Both of our firms have deep local connections and histories within our respective regions and are very proud of these links. Such links help us understand the needs of our clients and bring insights to them. Additionally, the combined firm will continue to advise our regionally-based clients with their needs nationally, as well as clients based outside of our locations.’
Wilkin Chapman increased its turnover by 10% to £31m in the year ended 31 March 2024. Profit before tax also rose by 8% to almost £11m.
Rollits, based in Hull and York, is a smaller firm and so not obliged to report turnover or profit figures. Its net assets as at last April were £1.95m, which had fallen in the year from £2.3m.
Meanwhile, two London firms have announced they are to merge and create a practice of more than 150 people. Seddons and GSC Solicitors will form Seddons GSC and bring the expanded team together in its West End premises.
The partners of GSC will become partners in the merged firm creating a partnership of 43. Simon Ross will continue as managing partner of Seddons GSC, working with Saleem Sheikh, senior partner of GSC Solicitors, who will assume the same position in the new firm. There was no confirmation of what will happen to support staff based currently in the firm’s City office.
Ross said: ‘Together, we will take advantage of new exciting opportunities and provide our existing clients with an enhanced level of service and expertise. The merger strengthens our combined offering to both our existing client bases, and provides the perfect platform for our future growth.’
Seddons is a 31-partner firm based in Fitzrovia specialising in real estate, corporate, dispute resolution, private client and family law.
GSC Solicitors was founded 53 years ago and does corporate, commercial, real estate, dispute resolution and intellectual property work.
Seddons Law’s full accounts for the year to 30 April 2024 showed that revenue increased by 7% to £14.4m. Members shared profits of £5.9m and the firm employed 63 people. GSC Solicitors LLP had net assets of £1.175m.
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